Travel Lens
Powdery quartz sand, calm Gulf water and golden sunsets make this barrier island near Sarasota a laid-back beach escape.
Walk barefoot on pinkish-white sand that is 99 percent quartz, with aquamarine water and the odd dolphin sighting.
Enjoy a quieter stretch of sand with plenty of seashells, close to Siesta Key’s restaurants and bars.
The island’s quietest beach is great for shelling and, with luck, spotting nesting loggerhead or green turtles.
Try surfing, windsurfing, parasailing or kiteboarding in the warm, clear water, with outfitters across the island.
Book a private charter to spot dolphins and sea turtles, or add snorkeling and scuba diving to your trip.
See the sky turn orange and violet over the calm Gulf from the deck of a late-afternoon cruise.
Cruise from Siesta Key Village to the beaches on an e-bike with tires that handle sand, and watch the sunset.
A 30-minute drive away, find white sand, turquoise water, local seafood and an old-timey feel.
Paddle the mangrove tunnels at Ted Sperling Park on Lido Key and watch for dolphins, crabs and shorebirds.
Swipe up for all 21 things to do in Siesta Key in our full guide.